With theft and product shrink at an all-time high, retailers are investing heavily in secure display systems to protect valuable merchandise while keeping products accessible to customers.
Yet despite these investments, too many programs fail to deliver the right balance of protection, aesthetics, and ease of use.
In working with retailers across sectors, one truth stands out: A secure display is only as effective as the process that creates it. From design through procurement, small missteps can lead to major inefficiencies, added costs, or, worst of all, systems that do not truly prevent loss.
To ensure your retail display initiative does not turn into a train wreck, here are seven big-time mistakes to avoid when designing and procuring secure retail displays.
Mistake #1: Ignoring the sales vs. security tightrope act
A common misstep is treating security as a standalone objective, not something to be considered in the context of customer experience.
Retailers sometimes overcorrect toward protection, locking down merchandise so tightly that the shopping experience suffers. When customers can’t engage with products or employees are constantly unlocking cases, sales can plummet.
The most effective secure displays integrate seamlessly into the retail environment. They deter theft while maintaining a frictionless experience, allowing customers to interact with products confidently and associates to manage access easily.
Mistake #2: Short-changing durability and material performance
A secure display is only as strong as the materials it’s made from. Too often, retailers or procurement teams focus on upfront cost and neglect long-term durability.
The result? Cases that bend, fog, or fail after a few months of heavy in-store use.
From high-strength metals to tempered glass and impact-resistant plastics, each material choice affects both longevity and perceived quality. Details like hinge strength, locking mechanisms, and scratch-resistant finishes make the difference between a fixture that lasts years and one that becomes a maintenance issue.
Mistake #3: Small details matter most
When you try to cram one-size-fits-all fixtures across multiple locations, you are ignoring important specifics like store layouts, traffic patterns, or brand aesthetics.
Keep in mind that customization isn’t about extravagance; it’s about performance. A well-designed case fits the space, highlights the product, and reflects the store’s visual identity. Even minor adjustments like lighting placement, product visibility, or handle ergonomics can elevate both security and presentation.
At L.A. Darling, we’ve seen how rapid prototyping allows retailers to fine-tune these design elements early in the process. That way, those important details all become part of the big picture.
Mistake #4: Not making installation and maintenance easy
Sure, you want a display that’s secure. But if it’s difficult to install or service, it creates a greater risk to your store: major disruptions. Many retailers underestimate the operational impact of complex assemblies, especially when installations must occur across dozens or hundreds of locations.
Every additional tool, step, or adjustment increases labor costs and the risk of improper setup. If associates struggle to open or maintain the case, the system quickly loses effectiveness.
To avoid this, involve installation and maintenance teams early in the design phase. Prototyping should include setup testing, not just visual inspection. The best secure displays are designed with simplicity in mind: fewer parts, faster installation, and minimal training required for store associates.
Mistake #5: Waiting too long to involve procurement and loss prevention teams
Another pitfall is designing in a silo. When store design, procurement, and loss prevention teams aren’t collaborating from the start, important details fall through the cracks.
Procurement leaders need assurance that timelines and supplier capabilities align with roll-out schedules. Loss prevention teams bring insights about theft patterns and product vulnerabilities. If these voices aren’t heard until late in the process, costly redesigns or sourcing delays are almost inevitable.
Cross-functional involvement early on ensures that the design meets all business objectives, not just aesthetic or security needs, and keeps projects on budget and on schedule.
Mistake #6: Skimping on testing by skipping prototyping
Speed matters, but skipping the prototyping phase is one of the costliest errors a retailer can make. Without physical testing, it’s impossible to evaluate how a display will perform under actual store conditions such as foot traffic, lighting, and customer interaction.
Prototyping exposes potential weak points long before rollout. Testing under realistic conditions helps refine the design, improve ease of use, and confirm that the fixture truly deters theft without discouraging sales.
Modern rapid-prototyping techniques make this step faster and more affordable than ever. Taking the time to prototype is not a delay; it’s an investment in reliability and performance.
Mistake #7: Thinking of vendors as comrades, not commodities
Secure display projects often span multiple departments, timelines, and locations. These are complex undertakings, which is why you can’t treat your suppliers like a commodity.
They are strategic partners that can make or break your program. A valued partner offers insights from other retail projects, material sourcing expertise, and problem-solving capabilities that can save time and money.
Right yourself before you wreck your initiative
Designing and procuring a secure retail display is about more than locking up products. It’s about protecting employees, preserving brand trust, and ensuring that customers still feel welcome to explore and engage.
Failure to comprehend this point can wreck any project. We’ve seen it before with retailers who skimp, scramble, and shortchange many of the issues we’ve mentioned above. Do not be that retailer.
Instead, make sure your decision-making rationale is as safe and secure as the displays you are building. This ensures that your next investment in security delivers what matters most: peace of mind, profitability, and a safer, more engaging retail environment.